EMM-ARM Retrospective and current developments

FCT PhD grant SFRH/BD/80682/2011; FCT research project VisCoDyn EXPL/ECM-EST/1323/2013

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, emm type distribution and genetic diversity of Streptococcus pyogenes recovered in Brazil

Streptococcus pyogenes is responsible for a variety of infectious diseases and immunological complications. In this study, 91 isolates of S. pyogenes recovered from oropharynx secretions were submitted to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, emm typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, penicillin G and vancomycin. Resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was 15.4%, which is higher than previous reports from this area, while 20.9% of the isolates were not susceptible to tetracycline. The macrolide resistance phenotypes were cMLSB (10) and iMLSB (4). The ermB gene was predominant, followed by the ermA gene. Thirty-two emm types and subtypes were found, but five (emm1, emm4, emm12, emm22, emm81) were detected in 48% of the isolates. Three new emm subtypes were identified (emm1.74, emm58.14, emm76.7). There was a strong association between emm type and PFGE clustering. A variety of PFGE profiles as well as emm types were found among tetracycline and erythromycin-resistant isolates, demonstrating that antimicrobial resistant strains do not result from the expansion of one or a few clones. This study provides epidemiological data that contribute to the development of suitable strategies for the prevention and treatment of such infections in a poorly studied area.

Cinq morceaux pour piano / de Emm. Chabrier.

[1.] Aubade -- [2.] Ballabile -- [3.] Caprice -- [4.] Feuillet d'album -- [5.] Ronde champêtre.

Evolution of mylonitic microfabrics (EMM), a computer application for educational purposes

`Evolution of mylonitic microfabrics' (EMM) is an interactive Filemaker Pro 3.0 application that documents a series of see-through deformation experiments on polycrystalline norcamphor. The application comprises computer animations, graphics and text explanations designed to give students and researchers insight into the interaction and dynamic nature of small-scale, mylonitic processes like intracrystalline glide, dynamic recrystallization and strain localization (microshearing). EMM shows how mylonitic steady state is achieved at different strain rates and temperatures. First, rotational mechanisms like glide-induced vorticity, subgrain rotation recrystallization and rigid-body rotation bring grains' crystal lattices into orientations that are favorable for intracrystalline glide. In a second stage, selective elimination of grains whose lattices are poorly oriented for glide involves grain boundary migration. This strengthens the texture. Temperature and strain rate affect both the relative activity of different strain accommodation mechanisms and the rate of microfabric change. Steady-state microfabrics are characterized by stable texture, grain size and shape-preferred orientations of grains and domains. This involves the cyclical generation and elimination of dynamically recrystallized grains and microshear zones.

Lumbar Epidural Anesthesia in the Treatment of Discal Lombosciatalgia: A Comparative Clinical Study between Methylprednisolone and Methylprednisolone with Levobupivacaine

Sousa FAEF, Colhado OCG - Lumbar Epidural Anesthesia in the Treatment of Discal Lombosciatalgia: A Comparative Clinical Study between Methylprednisolone and Methylprednisolone with Levobupivacaine. Background and objectives: Lumbar epidural technique has been used in the treatment of lombosciatalgia since 1953. In most cases, methylprednisolone is used along with a local anesthetic, and it is not known whether the isolated use of methylprednisolone is equally effective in relieving symptoms. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of two different solutions - methylprednisolone with saline and methylprednisolone with levobupivacaine injected in the epidural space to heal lombosciatalgia secondary to lumbar herniated disk. Methods: Sixty individuals ASA I and II, of both genders, ages 18 to 65 years participated in this randomized, double-blind study over a period of one year. They underwent interlaminar lumbar epidural analgesia without radioscopic control to heal a lombosciatalgia and they were divided into two groups: G-M (methylprednisolone + saline) and G-M + L (methylprednisolone + levobupivacaine + saline) both at a volume of 10 mL. Diagnosis was based on history, physical exam, and imaging exam (MRI). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was applied in a total of two blockades, 15 days apart. Results: A reduction in pain severity was observed in the methylprednisolone-levobupivacaine group, but without statistical significance. Conclusions: The analgesic efficacy of the G-M + L solution was superior to that of the G-M solution in the treatment of discal lombosciatalgia regarding the shorter time to onset of analgesia, but this was not significant at the time of discharge, and both solutions were effective in the treatment of discal lombosciatalgia.

Estimação nos modelos bivariados de médias móveis de valor inteiro

Nas últimas décadas, o estudo das séries temporais de contagem univariadas tem sido objecto de interesse crescente na literatura. Uma das classes de modelos mais populares é a dos modelos auto-regressivos e médias móveis de valor inteiro não-negativo, INARMA, obtida através da substituição da multiplicação por um operador aleatório, chamado thinning, nos modelos ARMA convencionais. Os modelos INAR para séries de contagem univariadas têm sido amplamente estudados na literatura no que diz respeito quer às suas propriedades probabilísticas quer à inferência estatística. Por outro lado, a classe alargada de modelos de médias móveis para séries de valor inteiro, INMA, em que as operações thinning em instantes diferentes são dependentes entre si, não tem sido objecto de tanta atenção. De facto os modelos INMA não são Markovianos pelo que a inferência estatística apresenta dificuldades adicionais. Actualmente o interesse na análise de séries temporais de contagem centra-se em modelos e métodos para séries multivariadas. Neste trabalho, consideram-se os modelos INMA bivariados propostos por Torres et al. (2012). Nesta classe alargada de modelos bivariados INMA, a estrutura de dependência entre as duas séries temporais é introduzia pela dependência entre os dois processos de chegada enquanto que a dependência em cada série é definida pela dependência de operações thinning em instantes diferentes. Consideram-se estimadores baseados em momentos: método dos momentos (MM), método dos momentos generalizados (GMM) e método dos momentos eficiente (EMM), assim como estimadores baseados na função geradora de probabilidades.

Cultural Intelligence (CQ) in Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni: an exploratory study on the levels and antecedents of CQ

Erasmus Mundus Masters (EMM) are programs with a strong component of interculturality. Our study aimed at understanding the level of cultural intelligence (CQ) of EMM students and alumni, as well as some of the characteristics associated with higher levels of CQ. The study included 626 EMM students and alumni from 109 different countries that encompasses 6 continents. Ang and Van Dyne’s (2006) cultural intelligence scale was used; closed and open ended questions were used to describe the sample’s sociodemographic characteristics and experiences regarding interculturality. After validating and assessing the scale’s psychometric properties, relations between different variables were explored using Pearson’s correlation, ANOVA, t Tests, and GLM procedures. We then analysed the open ended responses to gain further insight on our results. Differences among respondents are mainly equated with international experience rather than nationality or training. Respondents’ open ended replies provided us with a deeper insight on why training seems to be so ineffective in developing CQ. This is a transversal study that uses self-reporting measures; also, questionnaires were conducted in English, which was not the mother tongue of most of the respondents. This work is consistent with the CQ literature, however we argue that training mentioned by respondents systematically fails to meet some of literature’s foremost conditions for effective CQ trainings and provide clues for the implementation of more successful initiatives. With an exceptionally diverse sample, this study contributes towards the understanding of mechanisms of developing CQ among EMM and international Students. Results can be useful for selection processes, training/development of CQ and reducing dropout/turnover.

Evolution of genotypes of Group A streptococci from colonization and infection

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Biologia

Continuous monitoring of concrete mechanical properties since an early age to support construction phasing

The assessment of concrete mechanical properties during construction of concrete structures is of paramount importance for many intrinsic operations. However many of the available non-destructive methods for mechanical properties have limitations for use in construction sites. One of such methodologies is EMM-ARM, which is a variant of classic resonant frequency methods. This paper aims to demonstrate the efforts towards in-situ applicability of EMMARM, as to provide real-time information about concrete mechanical properties such as E-modulus and compressive strength. To achieve the aforementioned objective, a set of adaptations to the method have been successfully implemented and tested: (i) the reduction of the beam span; (ii) the use of a different mould material and (iii) a new support system for the beams. Based on these adaptations, a reusable mould was designed to enable easier systematic use of EMMARM. A pilot test was successfully performed under in-situ conditions during a bridge construction.

Monitoring the early stiffness development in epoxy adhesives for structural strengthening

The present work aimed to assess the early-age evolution of E-modulus of epoxy adhesives used for Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strengthening applications. The study involved adapting an existing technique devised for continuous monitoring of concrete stiffness since casting, called EMM-ARM (Elasticity Modulus Measurement through Ambient Response Method) for evaluation of epoxy stiffness. Furthermore, monotonic tensile tests according to ISO standards and cyclic tensile tests were carried out at several ages. A comparison between the obtained results was performed in order to better understand the performance of the several techniques in the assessment of stiffness of epoxy resins. When compared to the other methodologies, the method for calculation of E-modulus recommended by ISO standard led to lower values, since in the considered strain interval, the adhesive had a non-linear stress–strain relationship. The EMM-ARM technique revealed its capability in clearly identifying the hardening kinetics of epoxy adhesives, measuring the material stiffness growth during the entire curing period. At very early ages the values of Young׳s modulus obtained with quasi-static tests were lower than the values collected by EMM-ARM, due to the fact that epoxy resin exhibited a significant visco-elastic behaviour.

Fluência no betão desde as primeiras idades: um estudo experimental

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Civil

Are one factor logarithmic volatility models useful to fit the features of financial data? An application to microsoft data.

This paper provides empirical evidence that continuous time models with one factor of volatility, in some conditions, are able to fit the main characteristics of financial data. It also reports the importance of the feedback factor in capturing the strong volatility clustering of data, caused by a possible change in the pattern of volatility in the last part of the sample. We use the Efficient Method of Moments (EMM) by Gallant and Tauchen (1996) to estimate logarithmic models with one and two stochastic volatility factors (with and without feedback) and to select among them.